Lighting system



Patented my 13,1926. v

UNITED STATES 1,592,113 PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS LARSEN, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO SUNDH ELECTRIC COM- PANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

LIGHTING SYSTEM.

Application filed October 11, Serial No. 667,837.

This invention relates to a lighting system, of the so-called preset selective type, which is commonly used in theatres or elsewhere for producing various predetermined lighting effects at any time as required and in any desired sequence.

The system in question comprises a plurality of electric lamps, or groups of lamps, which are arranged each in its individual lighting circuit and are selected or reset to give the desired effect either of co or or of intensity, a plurality of electromagnetic switches which are provided with pilot or actuating circuits and control each a llghting circuit, and a plurality of hand switches certain of which control the individual ilot circuits of the main switches while ot iers control circuit connections common to all pilot circuits. Thus, after presetting as required the so-called pilot switches which are commonly associated with the individual pilot circuits, the difl'erent lighting efiects are obtained by the suitable manipulation of one or another of the hand switches used to control the common circuit connections.

In practice, however, it has heretofore been found necessary, where more than two variations in the sequence or combinations of the lighting effects were desired, to provide special main switches equipped with tw actuating magnets and to insert a pilot switch in the circuit of each switch magnet, since otherwise the presetting of a pilot switch to closed position would establish a return circuit which would render further variations impossible.

The objects of my present invention are, first, to provide a lighting system in which all possible variations in effects may be obtained with the use of ordinary single magnet switches, thus eliminating the use of the clumsy and expensive double magnet switches, ;and, secondly, to otherwise simplify and improve the system; and these objects I attain,'briefly stated, by the use of one or more special small switches, preferably electromagnetically actuated under the control of suitable hand switches, each of which is equipped with as many switch-arms mounted to move together as there are lighting circuits to be controlled and is adapted when moved to closed position to close the pilot circuit of any one or of all of the main switches, through a pilot switch associated with each pilot circuit and suitably preset for the purpose, and to break all circuits on being returned to open position.

The accompanying drawing shows diagrammatically, in the single figure, the switches and circuit connections of what may be regarded as a typical embodiment of my improvements in a three-wire lighting system, although it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other systems.

Referring to the drawings, M, M, M indicate the customary mains of a threewire system, L L L are groups or loads of lamps, here shown as three in number although the number may be increased as desired, and S S S are the double-pole main switches, or contactors, which serve to operatively connect the circuits of the lamps with the mains in the usual manner.

The selective control system illustrated comprises the pilot switches or switch members 1, 2, 3, 4c, 5 and 6, the multiple-arm electromagnetic switches 7 and 8, and the hand-control or master switches 9, 10 and 24. The switch 24 is a simple remote-control switch, located at any convenient point, adapted when closed to bridge and when open to disconnect contacts 11 and 12, which are connected the former by wires 1) and a to the main M and the latter by wire 0 to a series of fixed contacts 13, 1 1, 15.' The two master switches 9 and 10 co-operate with fixed contacts 16 and 17 respectively, contact 16 being connected by wire d to one end of the actuating magnet coil of switch 7 and thence through the coil by wire e to the main M while contact 17 is similarly connected by wire f to the actuating magnet coil of switch 8 and thence by wire e to the main M The switches 7 and 8, which may be of any suitable type and construction, are providedwith as many poles or switch-arms 18, 19, 20 and 21, 22, 23 as there are individual ilot circuits to be controlled, and in each switch these arms are mechanically connected to the movable member of the electro-magnet so as to-be operated simultaneously thereby and are electrically connected, those of switch 7 by wire 9 and those of switch 8 by wire it, to wire a and thereby to the main M These switches may also be manually operated, if desired, by means of hand levers 26 and 28, equipped with latches which in co-operation with pins 25 and 27 serve to lock the switches in closed position. The pilot switches, of the usual or of any suitableconstruction, normally remain in central position, out of contact, but may be swung as'usual in either direction to positions limited by stops. The switches 1, 2 and 3 are so operatively related thereto that, when moved to position on one side, each will engage one of the fixed contacts 13, 14, 1'5, and, when swung to position on the other side, will extend each into the path of one of the arms of switch 7, while switches 4, 5 and 6 may be swung to one side to extend each into the path of one of the arms of switch 8. Switches 1 and 4 are electrically connected by wire i with the magnet coil of switch S and thence by wire 7' to the main M ,'and the other switches are similarly connected to the same main, 2 and 5 by wires k and -Z through the magnet coil of switch S and 3 and 6 by wires m and at through the magnet coil of switch S As shown, the pilot switches and the arms of switches 7 and 8 make direct contact with each other. The switches and switch-arms may, however, be provided with suitably wired contacts, as will readily be understood, the construction adopted being simply a matter of convenience depending upon the set-up of the control panel upon whlch the switches are mounted.

The operation of the system is obvious. The pilot switches having first been preset as desired, the operator can on signal or at predetermined times according to schedule, so manipulate the master switches, wherever these switches ma be conveniently located, as to light the di erent groups of lamps in the sequence or combinations desired. For example, with the pilot switches 2, 3 and 4: preset as indicated in dotted lines, the switch 2 to position on one side and switches 3 and 4 to positions on the other side, the closing of hand switch 24 will establish through switch 2 and contact 14 the pilot circuit of the main switch S which thereupon will close and effect the lighting of the group of lamps L and the throwing of the master switch 9 over against contact 16 will close the circuit'through the magnet of switch 7 which will be actuated to move its arms and so to bring the arm 20 into contact with switch 3 to thereby establish the pilot circuit of the main switch S, which in turn will close the circuit and effect the lighting of the lamps in group L while the master switch 10, 1f thrown against contact 17, will similarly close the circuit through the magnet of switch 8 which, by bringing its arm 21 into contact with switch 4, will thereby establish the pilot circuit of the main switch S and so effect the lighting of the L group -of lamps.

The details both of the construction of the difi'erent switches. and of the wiring are not essential to the invention and hence may be variously modified without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof. It is also to be understood that the invention is not limited to a lighting system but is equally adapted for the selective control of a plurality of any electrical circuits.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electric system, the combination of an electrical circuit, an electromagnetic switch controlling the circuit, an actuating circuit for the switch, and control means for the actuating circuit comprising two movable switch members one of which is adapted to be preset either in or out of position to be operatively engaged by the other.

2. In an electric system of the type de scribed, the combination of an electrical circuit, an electromagnetic switch actuated by a single coil controlling the circuit, a pilot circuit for the switch, and control means for the pilot circuit comprising a plurality of pairs of movable switch members one member of each pair being adapted to be preset in positions either in or out of the path of movement of the other member of the pair.

3. In an electric system of the type described, the combination of an electrical circuit, an electromagnetic switch controlling the circuit, an actuating circuit for the switch, and control means for the actuating circuit comprising pairs of movable switch members one member of each pair being electromagnetically actuated and the other adapted to be preset in neutral and operative positions and when in operative position to be engaged and disengaged by the first member.

4. In an electric system, the combination of a plurality of electrical circuits, electromagnetic main switches controlling each a circuit, pilot circuits actuating each the closing and opening of a main switch, and means for selectively controllin the pilot circuits comprising a movable switch member which is permanently connected with one line side common to all of the pilot circuits and a plurality of movable switch members each of which is connected with one individual pilot circuit only and is adapted to be preset in position either in or out of co-operative relationship with the. first-mentioned or common movable switch member.

5. In an electric system, the combination of a plurality of electrical circuits, electromagnetic main switches controlling each a circuit, pilot circuits actuating each a main switch, and means for selectively controlling the-pilot circuits comprising a plurality of control switches having each two movable switch members one of which members is electrically connected with all the pilot circuits and the other of said members compris": a plurality of arms each of which, is

electrically connected with a single pilot circuit only and adapted to be individually preset in position either -in or out of contactual relationship with the first member.

6. In a lighting system, the combination of a plurality of lighting circuits, electromagnetic main switches controlling each a lighting circuit, pilot circuitsactuating each a main switch,'and means for selectively controlling the pilot circuits comprising a control switch having as many switch arms mounted to move together asthere are pilot circuits to be controlled and associated therewith movable switch members each adapted to be preset in neutral 'and operative positions and when in operative position to be engaged and disengaged by an arm of the control switch and thereby to-make and break one of the pilot circuits.

7. In a lighting system, the combinationof a plurality of lighting circuits, electromagnetic main switches actuated each by a single magnet-coil and controlling each a lighting circuit, pilot circuits actuating each a main switch, and means for selectively controlling the pilot circuits comprising a control switch having as many switch arms mounted to move together as there are pilot circuits to be controlled and for each pilot circuit a switch memberadapted to be preset in neutral position, inan operative position where it will be engaged and disengaged by an arm of the control switch to thereby close and openthe pilot circuit, and in a second operative position there it will close the pilot circuit through a connection controlled by a hand switch. 7

8. In a lighting system, the combination of a plurality oflighting circuits, electromagnetic 'main switches controlling each a lighting circuit, pilot circuits actuating each a main switch, and means for selectively controlling the pilot circuits comprising two electromagn 'tically actuated switches each having as many switch arms mounted to move together as there are pilot circuits to be controlled and'associated with each switch arm of each of the switches a movable switch member adapted to be; preset in neutral and in operative positions and when in operative position to be engaged and disengaged by the electroma etically actuated switch arm to make and reak one'of the pilot circuits.

9. ha lighting system, the combination of a plurality of-lighting circuits, electromagnetic mainswitches controlling each a lighting circuit, pilot circuits actuating each amain switch, and means for selectively controlling the pilot circuits comprising a pluof. electromagnetically actuated savitches each having as many switch arms mounted to move together as there are pilot circuits to be controlled, and for each control circuit a plurality of pilot switches adapted each to be preset in positions either in or .there are pilot circuits to be controlled and for each pilot circuit plural switch members each adapted to be preset in neutral and in. operative positions and when in operative osition to be engaged and disengaged one y. an arm of one and another by an arm of another series of movable switch arms and thereby to make and break that pilot circuit. 11'. In a lighting system, the combination ofa plurality of lighting circuits, electromagnetic main switches controlling each a lighting circuit, pilot circuits actuating each a main switch. and means for selectively controlling the pilot circuits comprising at'leasttwo electromagnetic switches each actuated by a' circuit controlled by a hand switch and having as many switch arms mounted to move together as there are pilot circuits to be controlled and for each pilot circuit at least two. P lot switches one of which is adapted to be preset in neutral position, in an o erative position where it will be engage and disengaged by-an arm of one of the electromagnetic switches to thereby close and openthe pilot circuit, and in a second operative position where it Wlll close the pilot circuit through a connection controlled y a hand switch and another to be preset in neutral position or in operative positionwhere it w1ll be engaged and disengaged by positions either in or out of co-operative reationshi one with an arm of one and another wit an arm of another control switch.

-13 In a electric system the combination of a plurality of electrical circuits, electromagnetic main switches controlling each one of said circuits, pilot circuits actuating each a main switch, and means fpr selectively controlling the several pilot circuits comprising two movable switch members which .of a plurality of electrical circuits, electromagnetic main switches controlling each one of said circuits, pilot circuits actuating each a main switch, and means for selectively controlling the several pilot circuits comprising a plurality of electromagneticallyactuated control switches and for each pilot circuit a corresponding number of pilot switches adapte to be preset in position either in or out of co-operative relationship one with the moving member of one and another with the moving member of another control switch.

15. In an electric system, the combination of a plurality of electrical circuits, electromagnetic main switches controlling each one of said circuits, pilot circuits actuating each the opening and closing of a main switch through'a single magnet coil, and means for selectively controlling the several pilot cir cuits comprising for each pilot circuit a pilot switch adapted to be preset in operative or inoperative position and an e :ctromagnetic control switch adapted when energized to simultaneously close all pilot switches in which the pilot switch is in operative position and when de-energized to open all pilot circuits.

LOUIS LARSEN. 

